Football: My old man has the title wrapped up

by NEIL DEVEY, Daily Mail

Darren Ferguson got his breath back just in time to warn the rest of the Premiership to forget any idea they have of toppling Manchester United.

The Wrexham midfielder, who was released from Old Trafford by his father Sir Alex in 1994, had just finished chasing the magnificent Juan Sebastian Veron for 90 minutes and was in no doubt that United's eighth title in 10 years is a mere formality.

Ferguson, who helped his team to a battling 2-2 draw against his old club, said: 'They will retain the championship again, signing Juan Veron and Ruud Van Nistelrooy is what they needed to give everybody a lift.

'I'm not saying they had a bad season last time but the League was over so quickly that from the moment they went out of the European Cup, it went flat.'

Ferguson knows better than most how much his father's last season in charge at Old Trafford means to him and the strength of his desire for a Champions League victory in his home city of Glasgow.

The capture of Veron from Lazio for £28million and £19m Van Nistelrooy from PSV Eindhoven may well tip the balance in his favour.

Ferguson added: 'I would expect them to have a right good go at the European Cup.

'Veron is a wonderful player, world class. He's very athletic, gets up and down the pitch - I wouldn't like to play against him every week.

'Van Nistelrooy is another good signing. I played against him when I was in Holland and he scored a hat-trick and had an excellent season overall. I think I mentioned him to my dad but by the time he went to look at him he had signed for PSV from Heerenveen. That was when they could have had him for nothing but although he might have cost a bit more, he'll be worth every penny.'

Van Nistelrooy looked razor sharp at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday but it was Veron who took the plaudits.

The Argentinian, one of only three United players to complete the whole match, set up Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the first goal after 31 minutes with a sublime long-range pass, then doubled United's lead 12 minutes into the second half with a free kick worthy of David Beckham.

Sir Alex, who gave a first start to new £2.5m goalkeeper Roy Carroll, rang the changes in the second period. He made eight substitutions and, with the youngsters on, Wrexham took advantage to pinch an unlikely draw.

Veron is now on World Cup duty with Argentina and misses next Sunday's Charity Shield against Liverpool, no doubt a relief for watching Anfield spy Ron Yeats, and his contribution had the United boss purring.

'He's an intelligent player and he certainly gives us an option on free kicks,' said Sir Alex, who has been linked with another Argentinian, £7m-rated full back Juan Pablo Sorin of Brazilian side Cruzeiro.

'Denis Irwin is an expert free kick taker, Paul Scholes is capable, and David Beckham has been sensational for us. But Veron can give you a different type of free kick. It was a hell of a hit.'

David May, who was back in the centre of defence alongside Jaap Stam, hopes he still has a future at the club. May, who has been linked with Newcastle, said: 'I'm still a United player until I'm told otherwise. I'll just see how the season pans out.'

Even without the likes of England captain Beckham, given leave, Roy Keane, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and Fabien Barthez, United sent a high-quality team for what was a testimonial game for Wrexham's managerial team of Brian Flynn and Kevin Reeves.

The long-serving duo deserved a better crowd than the 7,614 who did turn out, half of whom spent the first period jeering United's captain Ryan Giggs before he was substituted.

The abuse was presumably a result of Giggs' lack of appearances for Wales in friendly matches and was the second time in a few days that the winger was on the receiving end.

He was criticised for earning £2m from his testimonial against Celtic on Wednesday and said on his website: 'I know a few people decided to have a go at me about it and although I don't want to get dragged into a slanging match, I was upset.

'People are entitled to their opinions but I think they should look at the number of fans who turn up to testimonials.

'Supporters know exactly where the money they pay for tickets is going and still want to come. What does that tell you about their views on testimonials?'

Keane, Cole and Yorke starred in a second United team on Saturday which thumped Conference side Hereford 6-0 at Edgar Street.

Cole and Quinton Fortune scored two each and Nicky Butt and Yorke one apiece.